Director of Photography Department of Huayu

Chapter 103 Paramount Can't Sit Still

In the early morning of March 3, sunlight shone through the branches of the old locust tree onto the bluestone road, and the mottled light and shadow reflected the bulletin board in front of the teaching building.

The latest notice is prominently posted:
"The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games opening and closing ceremony creative proposal collection campaign has officially started."

An unprecedented wave of enthusiasm swept across the campus of Beijing Film Academy.

The students gathered in twos and threes, discussing one after another:
"Have you heard? The Olympics opinion solicitation campaign is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

"Of course, it was on the news the night before yesterday, and even the professors were discussing it. For those of us studying film and television, if we could come up with an idea that got adopted, it would be a lifetime honor!"

"Hey, why don't we give it a try? We're studying film and television anyway, maybe we'll be chosen?"

Along the way, wherever Wu Chen went, he could hear discussions about the solicitation of opinions for the 2008 Olympic Games.

Even in the dormitory, Park Song-il, Chu Tianshu and Xiang Zhuo were very excited and vied with each other to put forward their own ideas.

"Why, you guys also want to come up with some creative ideas?" Wu Chen looked at the three of them with interest.

Park Song-il sat on the edge of the bed, his chubby face trembling with laughter, holding a newspaper in his hand:
"I don't know about other schools, but in our school, especially in our photography and directing departments, the teachers all said that this is a once-in-a-century event. If you have any ideas, try to write them down and submit them.

I've made up my mind. I'll spend this period of time thinking hard about this so that we can look back and proudly say we experienced this moment firsthand!"

"Add me one!"

"Add me one!"

Chu Tianshu and Xiang Zhuo also expressed their opinions one after another, and the three of them were as excited as if they had been injected with chicken blood.

After the excitement subsided, Xiang Zhuo looked at Wu Chen doubtfully:

"Brother Chen, you don't have any ideas? That shouldn't be the case. Logically, you are the one who submits the most creative ideas.

Although he may not be able to be a member of the director team due to age, he can still appear in the opening and closing ceremonies if his creative ideas are collected;

When I told my family about the opening ceremony in 08, I thought, "It's a matter of bringing honor to our family. You Cantonese people always take this very seriously. By then, your whole village will be proud of you and be completely excited."

Hearing this, Wu Chen leaned back in his chair, the corners of his mouth slightly raised.

Indeed, even though the Olympics are still a long way off, looking at the performances of everyone on campus, one can feel the surging sense of national pride.

Since he has the ability and lives in this era, why not try to participate?

Even if you are not selected in the end, at least you have tried.

Just when Wu Chen was thinking about coming up with some creative ideas, news from Jason Blum arrived.

Jason's tone wasn't relaxed, but it wasn't overly surprising either.

"Fox Searchlight is extremely interested in your script and is willing to fully fund it, but the terms they're offering you are quite modest.

You only get 5% of the screenwriter and director's profits and their combined salaries of $500 million.

If you want to invest money, they can only give you a 20% stake, but the dividends will be cancelled and they will still have the main control."

Wu Chen frowned slightly, but this was expected.

"Where is Paramount?" Wu Chen asked.

"Paramount's offer is $150 million in screenwriting fees, $250 million in director's fees, and a 3% profit share," Jason shrugged. "They've always refused to accept investments. Their reasoning is that you haven't achieved substantial success in Hollywood yet, so they can't offer a better deal."

Wu Chen tapped the table with his fingers.

Jason spread his hands with a helpless smile: “Wu, this is pretty much what I expected.

These Hollywood capitalists will never give you more profits. They know the value of the script very well, but they would rather spend money to buy it than let you take too much share unless you are irreplaceable.

Wu Chen smiled calmly: "I understand."

Seeing that Wu Chen didn't show much emotion, Jason reminded him, "By the way, don't forget that Buried Alive will be released at the end of March."

At the same time, in Paramount's conference room, a discussion about Wu Chen and "Black Swan" was underway.

"Wu Chen won't let go of this opportunity."

Producer and production executive Adam Goodman spoke first, his tone firm, "I bet he wants to prove himself in Hollywood with this movie.

If he wants to, we'll let him direct it, but we have to send a professional producer to supervise the whole process and make sure he doesn't mess it up."

Another senior executive, Executive Vice President John Godwin, thought for a moment, shook his head and said thoughtfully:
"The script of Black Swan has been studied by professional analysts. The story is indeed excellent and has a chance to win an Oscar, but if a more experienced director is chosen, perhaps it would be safer.
Currently, only Ang Lee and Yi Mou Zhang are internationally recognized Chinese directors, and there's also John Woo (John Woo), who no one dares to use, but they are all famous for their action and martial arts films."

"You are Wu Chen, would you give the script to someone else?"

Gail Berman, the ultimate person in charge of film production and development, sneered, "This is his capital to break into Hollywood. He should only have this card in his hand right now. Let him do it. In fact, we don't need to give too many conditions." The three of them discussed it. Although they didn't seem to say much, their tone revealed a strong sense of self-esteem and superiority.

They believed Wu Chen was just an outsider who wanted a piece of the Hollywood pie and that he would have to compromise in order to direct the film;

And cooperating with Paramount, one of the Big Seven in Hollywood, is the best choice for the other party. Only in this way can the other party quickly rise in Hollywood and become the next Ang Lee, an international A-level director. This should also be the pursuit of many Chinese directors.

Their job is to control the budget and the power, and then sit back and reap the benefits.

However, as the days passed, Wu Chen still did not respond.

Wu Chen never thought about Paramount and was fully devoted to polishing the script of "Black Peony".

The script of this film needs to be carefully crafted to lay the foundation for the subsequent casting and character polishing.

He kept flipping through the notes on his desk, constantly revising the dialogues and storyboards, striving to make the story more cohesive and the characters more vivid.

At the same time, far away in Xiangshan Film and Television City, Liu Yifei was lying on the beige sofa in the hotel, fiddling with her mobile phone in her hand.

The early morning sunlight shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto her profile, casting a warm golden glow.

She was wearing a loose beige sweater, with her long legs curled up and casually placed on the armrest of the sofa, her bare feet dangling gently, looking pink and cute.

The room was filled with a light woody aroma, and the air was filled with a lazy tranquility.

Her long hair was loosely draped over her shoulders, and her eyes blinked gently, as if she was thinking about something.

Suddenly, she picked up her phone and dialed a number.

Wu Chen's voice came from the other end of the phone: "Senior Sister, are you not filming today?"

Liu Yifei turned over lazily, with a hint of a smile on her lips:
"Rest now. We're heading back to Xiangshan Film and Television City. We're going to shoot the Battle of Xiangyang, which will take about fifteen days."

At this point, she paused, her tone becoming a little more mysterious. "Hehe, let me tell you a piece of news that no one else knows?"

Wu Chen asked with a smile, "What news?"

"We will be filming the highlight of the Battle of Xiangyang at the end of the month. Sina Entertainment, Jiangsu and Zhejiang Satellite TV, and the Education and Technology Channel of Jiangsu and Zhejiang TV will all be live-streaming this event.

Then you can watch on TV to see if I am really just a show-off."

Speaking of this, Liu Yifei couldn't help but grin, with a hint of pride in her tone.

Wu Chen couldn't help laughing: "You really hold a grudge."

"Remember to watch it!" Liu Yifei repeatedly reminded before hanging up the phone.

"I see. I thought it was something big enough for you to call me."

After Liu Yifei hung up the phone, she pouted slightly and muttered to herself, "I'm just bored."

Her eyes suddenly lit up, and she flipped through the Penguin message, muttering softly: "I can find Changchang to talk to her, what does she seem to be doing?"

On the other hand, Paramount's senior management began to get anxious and sent someone to contact Jason Blum.

"Jason, what did Wu Chen say?" The voice on the other end of the phone was a little impatient.

"He has no interest in your cooperation." Jason's answer was brief and direct.

Paramount fell silent for a moment, obviously not expecting Wu Chen to be so decisive.

"Give us his contact information and we'll talk to him ourselves."

Jason asked Wu Chen, who simply replied, "Give it to them. I want to see what terms they can offer."

After getting the number, Paramount executives quickly spoke with Wu Chen.

"Wu, we can give you better conditions."

The voice on the other end of the phone spoke with the usual attitude, "We can increase your director and screenwriter fees, plus a 3% profit share and a 5% share. This is already the treatment of a quasi-A-level director in Hollywood. You should understand that the North American distribution rights of your "Dark Side" are still sold to Lionsgate.

Your new movie "Buried" hasn't even been released in North America yet, but we're already very sincere. Even if Yi Mou Zhang was in Hollywood, he wouldn't be much better than you, and he only knows how to make martial arts action movies.

Of course, if you give up directing, we are willing to give you 10% of the investment share."

After listening to this, Wu Chen pondered for a moment and said, "No, I don't need it. Thank you for your kindness."

After saying that, Wu Chen hung up the phone.

(End of this chapter)